So let me start by saying this is definitely a "what I've learned" type of post combined with observations and reflection. Probably going to be long and perhaps a bit scattered since I've been awake 24 hours.
I have a several shifts in a row either being the code nurse and having a patient on the unit go bad or having the patient who is deteriorating, EACH SHIFT. It has been exhausting.
Just a little back story, I work at a large, safety-net, teaching hospital and have just over one year experience on step down/intermediate care and have had ACLS certification since May and attended exactly one true code.
The focus of this post is lack of compassion for the human experience of the patient. I will admit that I've had a few (though not many) nights that I coast through and find myself making excuses as I rush from room to room.
After nights such as those, I find myself reflecting on the care I have provided. I occasionally rehash scenarios where I know I could have done better and had a more positive impact on my patients.
The problem is, I look around at my fellow nurses, techs, transport personnel, ekg techs, xray techs, etc. And find a very common theme. Very few of them treat each experience with a patient as a first time experience. I know we are all busy and have to-do lists miles long, but what about the patient? They are vulnerable and at our mercy so to speak. They need guidance and explanations about what we are doing and why it is needed.
I endeavor to always be polite and professional. I want to be the nurse you can ask questions of and expect answers or at least a promise to try to find out. I want to be the nurse that you remember for little things like respecting your modesty, controlling your pain, and spending a little time with you not oriented to task work.
The problem is that everyone is overworked here at my hospital. We are more often than not expected to take responsibility for more patients than the standard ratio. I've seen as many as 7 or 8 patients be my responsibility in a single shift when our ratio is supposed to be 4:1. I feel unsafe practicing this way. I have barely enough time to register what is happening, let alone the intricacies of patient conditions and relations outside the hospital. On shifts like those I get lost in what I have to do and lose sight of my purpose.
I'm not the only one. There are nurses and techs (and others) that I would like to slap for the way they treat patients. Even on my craziest, busiest night I would never do some of the things that I see and just seem to be accepted because we are too busy to worry about anything but what else has to be done.
With changes to Healthcare, the focus is supposed to be on patient experience but it is not what I see in practice on my unit. I see barely veiled hostility at being asked to perform basic cares or even get a patient something requested by nurses and techs alike.
I can't help but feel that something has to give somewhere. I'd like to say that some of my coworkers should (rightfully) be fired, but that just makes the strain on the rest of us worse. I see nurses and techs who I would never let touch me or a family member continue to work day in and day out.
I guess my true frustration is that I am an idealist and maybe my expectations of nursing and frontline care is unrealistic. However, then I get the sincere thanks of patients and family who can tell I am committed and sincere. I can't help but to wonder if it's just me or if there are others out there who hate taking any sort of short cut, and I don't mean in ways that cause harm. I mean in the overall care of my patient.
I have been pushy and sometimes demanding with residents and interns when I feel I truly understand what the patient wants and needs and I get push back. I know they have not had the same experiences and gained the same trust that I have with the patient.
I guess what I'm looking for is some comraderie on the subject and perhaps some tips on how to survive without becoming another burn out like the many I see each shift. Can anyone else relate?
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Maybe, get some good sleep and come back. I see a lot of (understandable) emotion but very little concrete. It would appear, to me anyhow, your opinion is virtually everyone BUT you gives substandard care. I have to wonder about your clarity and perspective.
Yes, that's the same thing I was thinking, but you expressed it better.
Ruby Vee, BSN
17 Articles; 14,053 Posts
Yes, that's the same thing I was thinking, but you expressed it better.